King County Sexual Assault Resource Center Gets Support from Bill and Melinda Gates

RENTON, Wash. -- The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) today announced a $37,500 gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the organization's school-based education program.

KCSARC, a nonprofit organization serving victims of sexual assault and rape in King County, will launch the pilot program in select Seattle, Eastside and South King County schools in January 2000.

"We are so thankful for Bill and Melinda Gates' donation and their commitment to our school-based program," said Mary Ellen Stone, executive director. "This significant gift will have a profound impact on our ability to provide sexual assault education and prevention in K-12 schools."

The pilot program will bring KCSARC's popular continuing education workshops into K-12 schools. Most teachers do not feel comfortable teaching sexual assault issues without extensive training, so only a small percentage of students get the tools they really need to reduce their risk of sexual assault and remain safe.

Currently, the agency can only reach a small percentage of King County teachers because workshops are traditionally held off campus. With the school-based programs being made available through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant, teachers and school counselors will be able to participate in workshops at school and consult with on-site KCSARC advisors.

Founded in 1976, KCSARC is committed to assisting victims recover from the trauma and to the ultimate elimination of sexual assault through community education and prevention programs. KCSARC employs 30 full- and part-time staff and serves more than 2,000 sexual assault victims and family members annually.

In 1995, the agency became one of the first state-certified Community Sexual Assault Programs. KCSARC's 24-hour crisis line is 1-800-825-7273. KCSARC works with a network of cooperating agencies including Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress, Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services, and Children's Response Center. The agency has ties with Consejo Counseling and Referral Service, Refugee Women's Alliance, Seattle Counseling Services for Sexual Minorities, Asian Counseling and Referral Services, and Asian Pacific Islander Family Safety Center to ensure sexual assault services are available to all communities. For more information, visit the agency's Web site.